Recorded documents in Virginia — deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other land records — are filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in each county.
What this page covers: Virginia recorded document searches — deeds, mortgages, assignments, liens, plats, and other instruments filed in the public land records. What it does not cover: Property valuations or tax data (those are on the Property Records page).
Where to start: Go to the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the property is located. Many county clerk of the circuit courts offer online document search by grantor/grantee name, book/page, or instrument number.
Common mistake: Recorded documents show what was filed — they do not confirm current ownership or lien status without a full title search. A deed in the index does not mean it is the most recent transfer.
Virginia Recorded Documents — Key Facts (2026)
What Changed in 2026 — Virginia Recorded Documents
The 5-Type Virginia Recorded Documents Map
Five Things People Get Wrong About Virginia Recorded Documents
Primary Sources and Official Record Portals
- www.scc.virginia.gov — Official Virginia Recorded Documents — State portal for Virginia recorded documents
- NASS UCC Filings overview — National Association of Secretaries of State
- National Archives — Military Records (DD-214) — National Personnel Records Center
- IRS Federal Tax Liens — Federal lien procedures
- HUD Recording Basics — Federal property recording basics
- USA.gov — Government Records — Federal record retrieval portal
- data.gov — Assessor datasets — Federal-cataloged county data
Related Recorded Documents Resources
- Virginia Court Records →
- Virginia Criminal Records →
- Virginia Property Records →
- Virginia Vital Records →
- Virginia Voter Records →
- Virginia Wants & Warrants →
- Virginia Licenses →
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Recorded Documents Databases
9 official Virginia recorded documents sources.
Recorded Documents
Virginia Counties
95 Virginia counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who records deeds and mortgages in Virginia?▼
In Virginia, deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real-property documents are recorded at the county level by the county Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder). The Official Virginia Recorded Documents at www.scc.virginia.gov handles statewide filings such as UCC-1 financing statements and corporate documents.
Where do I file a UCC-1 financing statement in Virginia?▼
UCC-1 financing statements covering personal property and business collateral are filed centrally with the Official Virginia Recorded Documents at www.scc.virginia.gov. Fixture filings on real estate are an exception — those go to the county where the property is located.
Are Virginia recorded documents available online?▼
Most Virginia countys publish a free online index of recorded documents (by name, document type, or date). Image access (the actual deed image) is often available either free or for a small per-page fee. Statewide UCC and corporate filings are searchable through the Official Virginia Recorded Documents at www.scc.virginia.gov.
How do I obtain a certified copy of a Virginia recorded deed?▼
Certified copies of deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents are issued by the county Recorder where the document was originally recorded. Fees and ID requirements vary; see your specific county page below. The Official Virginia Recorded Documents (www.scc.virginia.gov) handles certified copies of statewide filings such as UCCs and articles of incorporation.
What's the difference between a deed and a title in Virginia?▼
A deed is the recorded instrument that conveys ownership; the title is the legal concept of ownership itself. Deeds in Virginia are recorded with the county Recorder; title insurance and title searches are private-sector services that examine the chain of recorded deeds. The Official Virginia Recorded Documents at www.scc.virginia.gov publishes the statewide rules.